There is lots of news coming out of Hastings this week, beginning with some sad news.

Our favorite hog farmer, Michael Berry was in a terrible car accident in central Florida and was in the hospital in critical care. I’m told that the first words he said upon waking were: “Who is going to look after my hogs?”

We got it Michael, you just get well soon.

A last minute update: I am happy to report that Michael is out of the hospital and in for some rough months of physical therapy, but he and his sons were back at work on Wednesday, and there will be some happy hogs.

While Michael was hospitalized another local farmer, James Steward, helped out and even stopped me on the road the other day to give me another chance at picking something from the small field he has going right there on East Street.

He waved us down and I didn’t hesitate a minute to get into that field and cut me some cabbage, which I did handily, I might add. And I also got a lesson in how to cut kale, which Steward grows organically and I took home a jar of pickled diakon radishes to boot.

Ellen got some cabbage, too, but she was dressed in her meeting finery so she didn’t get to get in the dirt the way I did.

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Last Saturday was a big night for lots of folks in Hastings as the very first ever reunion of the W.E. Harris High School class of 1967 took place in the cafeteria of what was once the stomping grounds for many young people in Hastings.

The theme for the event was “Celebrating 46 Blessed Years — The Journey Continues,” and the cafeteria was decked out in maroon and gold balloons along with some historical photos from, “back in the day.”

Alumni president and event organizer Janice Baker Whitty said “It was an affair to be remembered. Local classmates, their spouses and friends were instrumental in helping to make this affair a success. Invited guest included past principals, instructors and other educators who were involved in our educational growth at Harris High School.”

The celebration included singing school cheers and the school alma mater and Henry Calloway playing the school song on his trumpet.

Whitty said participants enjoyed reminiscing about their winning football team, homecoming parades, sock hops and talent shows. Ronald Russell, Rosa Tolbert and Isabelle Jenkins were among those who shared their memories. Special recognition was given to the high school sponsor Ethel McNeil Miles.

Whitty said this was a milestone for her class, “and we have all pledged to continue our reunions, stay in touch, and continue to make a difference in our communities.”

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Speaking of making a difference, Federal Point resident Sandra Birnhak has picked her citrus bare in the past couple of months and has delivered the fresh oranges, grapefruit and lemons to the Pie in the Sky food pantry where she volunteers every Wednesday. She has become quite well known for her buckets and baskets of fruit and has even been bringing along a friend, Marc Baer to help out.

Besides bringing cabbage from local fields the past few weeks, Sandra took it up a notch and, after speaking at the Hastings Rotary, announced this week that Rotary would be donating $150 to help support the grassroots food pantry. First, oranges, then cabbage and now cash.

Great job Sandra! The award for most creative ways to support your community is yours, hands down.

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We took a field trip up to Jacksonville where we were the guest speakers for Women’s History Month at the FDIC. That’s a big building with lots of folks with big hearts. Their generous donation will help purchase enough food to provide 3,150 meals for folks in and around Hastings.